Rogers Pass Weekends

Powder Turns at RP

Dates Price Meeting Time & Place Objective Agenda Guides & Group Size Difficulty and Prerequisites Transportation Accommodation & Meals Gear & Clothing Insurance Booking Information

Join us for three days of backcountry skiing in Rogers Pass, a Mecca for powder hounds. The 'Pass' can be intimidating to the newcomer, the runs are steep and access is not always obvious. Getting to know the area with an experienced guide will give you a great introduction to this amazing ski area.

In addition, this weekend will be an opportunity to pick up more back country skills, brush up on techniques and refresh your knowledge of route finding and avalanche safety.

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2010 Dates

January 22 - 24, February 6 - 8, February 26 - 28

Price

$595 CDN includes guiding and hotel accommodation. Cancellation insurance is available for an extra $32. GST is extra.

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Gratuities, meals, equipment and transportation are not included.

More skiing: Yamnuska guides are also available for private ski tours after the program ... details .

Meeting Time and Place

The January trips start at 8am BC time (Pacific Time) on the 1st day in the lobby of the Glacier Park Lodge at Rogers Pass. The February trips start at 9am BC time (Pacific Time) on the 1st day in the lobby of the Glacier Park Lodge at Rogers Pass. Please be dressed ready for skiing with skins on skis.

Objectives

Introduce participants to skiing at Rogers Pass
Find as much good powder skiing as possible
Refresh back country techniques and knowledge

Rogers Pass Ski Weekend Feb 2, 2007

Agenda

First Day: Meet at Glacier Park Hotel in Rogers Pass at 8am (January trips) or 9am (February trip) PST. Check-in, check gear, check weather and avalanche forecasts, then head out for an appropriate objective. Today we'll likely do something close to the Hotel in Connaught Creek where there are several terrific short tours. The hotel has a swimming pool and sauna plus restaurant/bar.

Day two and three: There's a multitude of options available and we'll select objectives that fit the groups ability and energy. Perhaps the Sapphire Col - Lily Glacier loop and one of the routes from Bostock Creek.

More skiing: Yamnuska guides are also available for private ski tours after the program ... details .

Guides & Group Size

Our groups tend to be small.

Our instructors are certified professional ski guides who are licensed to operate in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 7 participants per guide and a maximum of 12 participants on the program. The program will require 6 participants to run.

Difficulty & Prerequisites

Rogers Pass Ski Weekend Feb 2, 2007 This program is limited to participants 19 years and older unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and in which case approval must be given by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

Participants should have had some back country skiing experience before and be advanced intermediate skiers. In the Yamnuska context a minimum would be prior participation on 'Intro to Backcountry Skiing', or 'AST 2' or equivalent training or experience with other organizations.

'Advanced intermediate' means that you are comfortable making parallel turns on most terrain at a ski hill and that you have enough ski skills to deal safely with all but the most extreme terrain found at a ski hill (that is to say you can stop, turn around, then traverse out of areas you can't handle).

You also need to be in good aerobic shape, as you will have to 'skin' up everything you ski down. You will get a good workout each day so need to be ready. You will be skiing with a daypack containing your lunch, water, avalanche gear, and spare clothing.

Transportation

Transport is not included in this program. We can help coordinate a carpool, let us know if you can give someone a ride or if you will need one.

Rogers Pass is 350km west of Calgary on the Trans Canada (#1) Highway in Glacier National Park. Calgary International Airport is regularly serviced by flights from Europe and throughout North America. Greyhound (1 800 661 8747) services Rogers Pass from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Rogers Pass Map

Accommodation & Meals

Shared hotel accommodation on the 1st and 2nd nights at the Glacier Park Lodge is included. Please contact the Lodge if you wish to stay there before or after the trip.

If you prefer your own room for the 2 nights at the hotel we can try to accommodate your request. The cost is an additional $75.00 Cdn plus tax for the 2 nights. Please request this when booking.

Meals are NOT included. There is a cafeteria and a restaurant at the hotel.

Each day of the program you will need a lunch, energy snacks and plenty to drink.

Equipment & Clothing

You will need to bring your own clothing, avalanche beacon, snow shovel, probe, skis, poles, climbing skins and a daypack. We have many of these items available to rent when available. We supply other group safety items. Rental Gear

The equipment and clothing you bring will have a big impact upon the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all items listed. If unsure about anything please don't hesitate to call and ask us!

Skis

There are two ski systems you can use: System 1 Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then 'locks down' to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier. System 2 Telemark skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the other.

Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier then you should use Alpine Touring gear. Only if you are already an advanced Telemark skier should you bring Telemark gear.

Both types of gear can be rented in Calgary and Canmore prior to the trip

Equipment List

You need to bring:

Skis We recommend a short (160 - 185cm) wide ski designed for powder
Climbing skins 'Stick-on type'
Ski Poles
Ski boots
Avalanche beacon rentals available
Snow shovel rentals available
Collapsible probe rentals available
Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment) rentals available
Sunglasses and ski goggles
Thermos flask and water bottle
Sun block & Lip Cream
Pocket knife
Small Flashlight or Headlamp with fresh batteries
Small Blister & 1st-Aid Kit
Camera
Personal Toilet Items
Ear Plugs (optional)
Family FRS radio (short range, multi frequency) (optional)

Rental Gear

Clothing List

We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be 'layered' to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest and from the ascent to the descent.

Polypro underwear (top & bottom)
Warm pants (nylon blend, insulated or fleece)
Warm shirts (not cotton)
Medium weight fleece sweater
Fleece Jacket
Light insulated jacket or vest
Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon, with side zippers)
Socks (wool outer & polypro liner), several sets
Wool or fleece hat
Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts
Neck tube
Sunhat
Casual clothing to wear in the hotel
Swimsuit for the swimming pool and sauna

Rental Information

Skis, Boots, Skins & Poles can be rented from:

Canmore: Gear Up - (403 678-1636)
Banff: Mountain Magic - 224 Bear St. (Tel: 403 762-2591)
Calgary: Campus Recreation, University of Calgary - Phys-Ed Building (Tel: 403 220-5038)
Calgary: M.E.C. - 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 363-0122)

Yamnuska has avalanche beacons, shovels and probes for rent Rental Gear

Insurance

There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass (obtain at Park Info Centre next to GP Lodge). It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance ($32), this must accompany your payment.

For detailed booking instructions and conditions, click here.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.